High Lithium Capacity MxV2O5Ay·nH2O for Rechargeable Batteries

The aqueous synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O are described. It is easily and quickly prepared by precipitation from acidified vanadate solutions. M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O has been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, TGA, chemical analyses, and electrochemical studies. The atomic structure is related to that of xerogel-derived V₂O₅·nH₂O. In M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, M is a cation from the starting vanadate salt and A is an anion from the mineral acid. This material exhibits high, reversible Li capacity and may be considered for use in a cathode in primary and secondary batteries. The lithium capacity of an electrode composed of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O/EPDM/carbon (88/4/8) is ∼380(mA h)/g (C/80 rate) and the energy density is ∼1000(W h)/kg (120-μm-thick cathode, 4-1.5 V, versus Li metal anode). Critical parameters identified in the synthesis of M_xV₂O₅A_y·nH₂O, with respect to achieving high Li-ion insertion capacity, are acid/vanadium ratio, starting vanadate salt, and temperature. Inclusion of carbon black in the synthesis yields a composite that maintains the high Li capacity, lowers the electrochemical-cell polarization, and preserves the lithium capacity at higher discharge rates. Li-ion coin cells, using pre-lithiated graphite anodes, exhibit electrochemical performance comparable to that of Li-metal coin cells.     

Syntheses, Structures, and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Two Crown-like Heteroselenometallic Compounds [Et4N]4[(μ5-WSe4)(CuX)5(μ-X)2] (X = Cl, Br)

Two isostructural crown-like heteroselenometallic cluster compounds, [Et₄N]₄[(μ₅-WSe₄)(CuX)₅(μ-X)₂] (X = Cl 1, Br 2), were prepared from the reactions of [Et₄N]₂[WSe₄] with CuX and [Et₄N]X· xH₂O in the presence of 2-picoline and characterized by single-crystal diffraction analysis. The [(μ₅-WSe₄)(Cu-X)₅(μ-X)₂]⁴⁻ anions in the cluster compounds consists of five CuX fragments coordinated to the five edges of the tetrahedral [WSe₄]²⁻ moiety along with two bridging halides connected to each of the two pairs of the symmetric copper atoms, exhibiting a novel crown-like core structure. The nonlinear optical absorption and refraction of cluster compound 2 were determined to be α₂ = 6.15 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/W and n ₂ = 4.18 × 10⁻¹¹ esu, respectively.     

Tuning the arrangement of mono-crown ether-substituted phthalocyanines in Langmuir-Blodgett films by the length of alkyl chains and the cation in subphase

Amphiphilic phthalocyanines with one crown ether and three alkyl chain substitutions can form stable monolayers on a water surface. This monolayer can be transferred to a substrate by a vertical dipping method. The arrangement of phthalocyanine molecules in LB films was affected by the length of alkyl chains and the coordination of alkali ions in crown ether. Davydov splitting was observed in the absorption spectra of the LB films of phthalocyanine with the shortest alkyl chain substitutions, and this splitting was affected by the alkali ions in the subphase.     

Controlling the framework formation of silver(I) coordination polymers with 1,4-bis(phenylthio)butane by varying the solvents,metal-to-ligand ratio,and counteranions

The reactions of 1,4-bis(phenylthio)butane (L) with Ag(I) salts in varied conditions (varying the solvents, metal-to-ligand ratios, and counteranions) lead to the formation of four new two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers with different network structures: [Ag(2)L(3)(ClO(4))(2)](infinity) 1, [Ag(2)L(3)(ClO(4))(2) x CH(3)OH](infinity) 2, [[AgL(2)](ClO(4))](infinity) 3, and [AgLNO(3)](infinity) 4. All the structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, P-1, a = 11.0253(9) A, b = 11.3455(9) A, c = 11.5231(9) A, alpha = 93.931(2) degrees, beta = 92.689(2) degrees, gamma = 112.9810(10) degrees, Z = 2. 2: triclinic, P-1, a = 11.9147(13) A, b = 16.1534(17) A, c = 16.2259(17) A, alpha = 74.977(2) degrees, beta = 69.030(2) degrees, gamma = 69.986(2) degrees, Z = 2. 3: triclinic, P-1, a = 12.1617(9) A, b = 12.5054(10) A, c = 13.1547(10) A, alpha = 64.3370(10) degrees, beta =85.938 (2) degrees, gamma = 69.3010(10) degrees, Z = 2. 4: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 5.4032(17) A, b = 16.974(6) A, c = 19.489(6) A, beta = 94.234(6) degrees, Z = 4. In all four complexes, each Ag(I) center has a tetracoordination geometry, and the 2D networks consist of fused large macrometallacyclic ring systems. The "hexagonal" 42-membered rings, Ag(6)L(6), observed in 1 and 2 are nearly identical, which could be considered as unique examples of self-sustaining noninterpenetrated frameworks formed with flexible ligands. The repeating rectangular 28-membered macrometallacycle, Ag(4)L(4), is the basis for the network of 3, in which the perchlorate anions occupy the voids to prevent the ring from collapsing. In 4, columns of the fused rectangular 22-membered rings, Ag(4)L(2)(NO(3))(2), are cross-linked through the L ligands to form a unique 2D network consisting of two types of 22-membered repeating units.     

Microcalorimetry as a possible tool for phylogenetic studies of Tetrahymena

Using isothermal microcalorimetry, the growth power-time curves of three strains of Tetrahymena were determined at 28°C. Their Euclidean distances and cluster analysis diagram were obtained by using two thermokinetic parameters (r and Q_log), which showed that T. thermophila BF₁ and T. thermophila BF₅ had a closer relationship. Compared with the single molecular biomarker (ITS1) method, microcalorimetry wasmaybe a simpler, more sensitive andmore economic technique in the phylogenetic studies of Tetrahymena species.     

Soft vesicles formed by diblock codendrimers of poly(benzyl ether) and poly(methallyl dichloride)

The synthesis of a block codendrimer (g3-PBE-b-g3-PMDC), composed of a third-generation poly(benzyl ether) (PBE) monodendron and an aliphatic polyether (PMDC) monodendron is reported. In THF/diiospropyl ether (1:1) the PMDC block functions as a "hydrophilic" block, while the PBE acts as a "hydrophobic" block. The codendrimer can form interdigitated layers leading to vesicle formation. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the vesicles. The effect of molecular architecture on the formation of the interdigitated layers and vesicles was studied.     

Studies on the Binding Mode of Pinacyanol Chloride to Nucleic Acids

The interaction of pinacyanol chloride(PC) with nucleic acids has been investigated by a series of experiments.Extensive hypochromism,appreciable peak shifts,isosbestic points and new peaks of the product of binding to nucleic acids in the spectra were observed.They showed that the interaction between PC and nucleic acids occurred.The results from absorption spectra of DNA,DNA melting,electrophoresis and fluorescence polarization studies have indicated that PC binds to DNA in nonintercalative way.Consistent with the nonintercalation,the studies of fluorescence titration and absorption titration specified that the binding of PC to nucleic acids occurred by an outside stacking binding,in which nucleic acids served for acting templates,The fact that the new absorption peaks of bound PC at ca,485nm are just close to the absorption bands of Haggregate of PC at high concentrations without DNA further supports the outside stacking binding mode,In addition,other evidence indicated that the interaction between PC and nucleic acids is not purely electrostatic.     

Application of cold neutron prompt-gamma activation analysis in environmental studies of aquatic plants

This paper describes the use of cold-neutron prompt-gamma activation analysis (CNPGAA) to determine carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the aquatic plant Typha domingensis, commonly known as cattail, during spring and fall seasons. According to studies of the Florida Everglades, cattail replaces sawgrass as a result of nutrient enrichment from farm water runoff. Nutrient enrichment, especially phosphorus, in sediment and the water column can lead to undesirable expansion. Early signs of this expansion are apparent in the Apalachicola River floodplain near Apalachicola, Florida, USA. This research project is designed to use cattails as biomonitors of nutrient enrichment in the lower Apalachicola River floodplain. Determination of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in cattail using cold neutron prompt-gamma activation has been developed in our previous studies at the CNPGAA facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA. The results of numerous field samples, collected from the study area during spring and fall seasons in 2002, will be presented in this paper.     

[{Cu(phen)2}(μ‐malato){Cu(phen)(NO3)}](NO3)·4H2O: malate acting as a tetra­dentate and dibridging ligand in a dinuclear copper complex

The crystal structure of the title compound, μ‐2‐hydroxy­butane­dioato‐1κ²O⁴,O^4′:2κ³O¹,O²,O⁴‐nitrato‐2κO‐tris­(1,10‐phen­anthroline)‐1κ⁴N,N′;2κ²N,N′‐dicopper(II) nitrate tetra­hydrate, [Cu₂(C₄H₃O₅)(NO₃)(C₁₂H₈N₂)₃](NO₃)·4H₂O, contains an unsymmetrical dinuclear copper complex with Cu(phen)₂ and Cu(phen)(NO₃) moieties (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline) bridged by a malate (2‐hydroxy­butane­dioate) ligand, which acts as a double‐bridging and tetra­dentate ligand. As a result of this double‐bridging action, especially the direct coordination of the O atom of one carboxyl­ate group of malate to the two Cu atoms, the Cu⋯Cu distance is only 4.199 (1) Å and the two phen planes are roughly parallel [the shortest inter­planar distance is 3.28 (1) Å], exhibiting an obvious intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action.